A gathering at a home on Railroad Trail in Summit, Arkansas, turned deadly on a Tuesday night in May 2021, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Rachel Hemphill. Marion County Sheriff's deputies were called to the residence after receiving a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found Hemphill inside, lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to her head. She was transported to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, where she was pronounced dead.
The focus of the investigation quickly turned to 34-year-old Bridget Lynn Brown, who was also present at the scene. Brown initially told investigators that the shooting was a tragic accident. She claimed that as she was walking into her house, she lost her footing on a set of 'shaky' stairs and, while trying to catch her balance, the handgun she was holding accidentally fired. However, this version of events was reportedly contradicted by other individuals who witnessed the shooting.
After conducting interviews and consulting with the prosecuting attorney, investigators from the Marion County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Arkansas State Police, arrested Bridget Lynn Brown. She was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and a firearm enhancement. Brown was incarcerated at the Marion County Jail on a $250,000 bond. As the investigation continued, Rachel Hemphill's body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy.
